High School Basketball Nationals celebrates its 15th anniversary this year with a new title sponsor, Chipotle, and a new venue, moving to Brownsburg High School outside of Indianapolis.
Link Academy won it all last year under Bill Armstrong, and he once again has a talented group. Standing in its way is Montverde Academy. which enters as the favorite at 30-0.
Chipotle Nationals features eight nationally ranked teams in ESPN's SCNext Top 25 and more than 30 ranked prospects. Without question, it's the best collection of individual talent ever, and all teams enter with championship pedigree.
The three-day tournament begins Thursday with the girls' opening round and boys' quarterfinals (10 a.m. ET on ESPNU/ESPN app). The girls' and boys' semifinals are set for Friday (10:30 a.m. ET on ESPNU/ESPN app) and the tournament culminates on Saturday, with the girls' championship at 10 a.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN app) and the boys' championship at noon on ESPN2.
Here are five things you need to know.
Stars to watch
To win it all, you need a unit that works for each other on offense, commit to both individual and team defense, and of course you need a star or two. Here's a star to know from every team.
SF Cooper Flagg, Montverde Academy (Fla.) Committed to Duke | 2024 ESPN 100 rank: 1
Flagg is still haunted by Montverde's first-round upset loss in this tournament a year ago. He'll look to impose his will on every possession and do whatever it takes to win. A triple-double is not out of the question.
SF V.J. Edgecombe, Long Island Lutheran HS (N.Y.) Committed to Baylor | 2024 ESPN 100 rank: 4
Edgecombe led the EYBL conference in scoring at 17 points per game and averaged 2.7 steals per game this year, per LegitStats. He has climbed to inside the top 10 nationally. He's a deadly three-level scorer with an impressive passing vision and defense.
SG Tre Johnson, Link Academy (Mo.) Committed to Texas | 2024 ESPN 100 rank: 5
Johnson has been one of the top five players in his class since his sophomore year. That's a major sign of talent and consistency. Johnson scores with ease and has the mindset and talent to carry his team.
PF Donnie Freeman, IMG Academy (Fla.) Committed to Syracuse | 2024 ESPN 100 rank: 19
Coming off a strong week at McDonald's against the nation's best, Freeman has been consistent this season. IMG will need his inside-out play, and he'll likely need to produce double-figure rebounds while also influencing shots defensively.
G Darren Harris, Paul VI Catholic HS (Va.) Committed to Duke | 2024 ESPN 100 rank: 37
There is no doubt Harris can score in a variety of ways -- his specialty is draining jumpers. He's a determined winner, and Paul VI will need his defense and leadership along with his scoring.
SF A.J. Dybantsa, Prolific Prep (Calif.) Uncommitted: 2025 ESPN 60 rank: 1
One of the most talented players in high school basketball, Dybantsa is capable of scoring big. His great length and verticality allows him to make plays on both ends to go along with his scoring prowess.
PF Cameron Boozer, Columbus (Fla.) | Uncommitted | 2025 ESPN 60 rank: 2
Boozer is a touch match-up because of his size, strength and high skill level inside and out. He rebounds all game long and finds ways to make his team win. His passing ability makes him special.
PG Jeremiah Fears, AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.) | Committed to Illinois | 2025 ESPN 60 rank: 16
Fears has played like a five-star point guard most of the season. He will push the ball with speed and can stop on a dime and make a play. He hurts opponents with his drive and pull-up game. Fears also has a team-high 31 steals.
Are more upsets on the way?
The NCAA tournament continues to prove that March Madness is real. Last year's nationals had upsets in all the games and some big surprises with exciting finishes.
In a stunning first-round upset last season, No.1 seed Montverde lost to No.8 Sunrise Christian in a slow-paced, grind-it-out game. The loss spoiled Montverde's quest for a third consecutive tournament title. No. 6 seed IMG also beat No. 3 Prolific Prep, 66-63, on a thrilling half-court buzzer beater from Blue Cain.
So who can pull off the upset this year? Here is the full quarterfinals schedule for Thursday with all the matchups, including their rank in the SCNext Top 25.
2 p.m. ET: No. 10 IMG Academy vs. No. 3 Paul VI Catholic
4 p.m. ET: No. 4 Columbus vs. No. 2 Long Island Lutheran
6 p.m. ET: No. 6 Link Academy vs. No. 5 Prolific Prep
8 p.m. ET: No. 8 AZ Compass Prep vs. No. 1 Montverde Academy
Here's why every team could win it all
We asked each coach why their team can win it all.
Kevin Boyle, Montverde Academy: "We have a talented and unselfish team. Every player on the team is a top-five player at their position in the country, if not the best at their position. And they are an incredibly close group. They are true friends, and they really care for one another, and it shows in the way they cheer each other's success on the court. Last year this group lost in Round 1, and they spent all summer and this entire year using that as motivation to come back and deliver a championship."
Ryan Bernardi, Prolific Prep: "Our team has been through trials and tribulations that have prepared us for Chipotle Nationals. We have played anybody, anywhere to prepare for these three games. Our group is ready to make a run in Indianapolis."
Glenn Farello, Paul VI Catholic: "When we are at our best, we can create opportunities with our up-tempo pace and get everyone involved within our offensive rhythm. On the defensive end, we can disrupt with our length and versatility. We need Darren's (Harris) shot-making and Ben's (Hammond) playmaking for us to be successful. Rebounding has been a key for our success all year."
Bill Armstrong, Link Academy: "In order to give ourselves a chance to win Chipotle, we must be able to create tempo with our defense in the full court while staying true to our principles of protecting the paint in the half court. Ultimately our calling card is on the defensive side of the ball, and we are going to have to bring our best defensive effort each and every game."
Andre Moran, Columbus: "We play together on both ends of the court. We feel we are battle-tested. This group has won a lot of games. They know how to win."
Pete Kaffey, AZ Compass Prep: "I think we can win Chipotle Nationals this year if we play hard on defense, share the ball on offense and complete our defensive possessions by securing the rebound."
Sean McAloon, IMG Academy: "We played a mature brand of basketball down the stretch. We have a talented group. If we can duplicate what we did in the second half of the year. I like our chances."
Here's one X factor from every team
Along with your stars, every team needs a special talent who can be a heavy contributor in their own way.
PF Sammie Yeanay, AZ Compass Prep | Committed to Arizona State | 2024 ESPN 100 rank: 87
One of Compass' biggest and strongest players, Yeanay has a physical presence inside. He's averaging 12 points per game and shooting 50% overall. He must play big against Montverde right off the bat.
PG Darius Acuff, IMG Academy | Uncommitted | 2025 ESPN 60 rank: 10
Acuff has the ability to take over games. If he can find the balance between scoring and moving the ball, he becomes dangerous. His defense at the point of attack will be vital.
PG Cameron Miles, AZ Compass Prep | Uncommitted | Class of 2025
Since joining the team, Miles has brought a level of toughness on defense and aggressiveness on offense. He's a much-improved and focused player.
PG Ben Hammond, Paul VI Catholic | Committed to Rhode Island | Class of 2024
Few are better at leading their team. PVI's record the last two years is 64-6 with Hammond at the point. He's a tenacious defender who pushes the pace on offense.
PG Robert Wright III, Montverde Academy | Committed to Baylor | 2024 ESPN 100 rank: 25
Wright is the most important player on the Montverde roster. He runs the team, defends the ball and creates so others can score. But don't leave him open because he can make you pay.
PG Cayden Boozer, Columbus | Uncommitted | 2025 ESPN 60 rank: 14
Boozer was the MVP of the U16 Peach Jam and is fresh off a state championship. His jumper has made major progress but must use his voice more in games and in huddles.
PG Kayden Mingo, Long Island Lutheran I Uncommitted | Class of 2025
A consistent catalyst for his team, Mingo is averaging 15 points per game on 54% shooting. He's also a 44% shooter from behind the arc and 83% at the free throw line, per LegitStats. Mingo could be Long Island Lutheran's next star.
PG Zoom Diallo, Prolific Prep | Committed to Washington | 2024 ESPN 100 rank: 29
A physical scoring point guard, Diallo will need to get the talent around him involved while maintaining his attacking mindset. His on-ball defense will be key.
Award winners
The EYBL scholastic was the hardest and most talented league in the county. They recently announced their award winners. Expect to see many of these elite players in the Chipotle Nationals.
Coach of the year: Kevin Boyle, Montverde Academy
Player of the year: Cooper Flagg
First team: Cooper Flagg, V.J. Edgecombe, Darius Acuff, Derik Queen and Tre Johnson.
All Defensive team: Asa Newell, Luke Bamgboye, V.J. Edgecombe, Alier Maluk and Cooper Flagg.
Sixth Man of the Year: Fischer Brown, Wasatch Academy